Astros star set for hot reception at Dodger Stadium

Houston Astros' Yuli Gurriel lines up a hit during Game 5 of baseball's World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers.David J. Phillip

BASEBALL: Houston Astros manager AJ Hinch says Yuli Gurriel is bracing for a hostile reception in Los Angeles on Wednesday for game six of the World Series after his racist gesture towards star Dodger Yu Darvish.

Gurriel avoided being banned from any further play this season despite being filmed pulling the corners of his eyes in an offensive jab at Darvish's Japanese heritage in game three in Houston.

Cuban-born Gurriel, who will instead miss the first five games next season, helped the Astros to a 3-2 series lead on Monday and within reach of their first World Series title.

However a fiery welcome is almost certain to greet Gurriel when he steps up to the plate at Dodger Stadium for a potentially decisive game six.

Houston Astros infielder Yuli Gurriel is bracing for a hostile reception from Dodgers fans when the best-of-seven series resumes.MIKE NELSON

"Yuli has got a good heart,” Hinch said.

"He made a mistake. He'll pay for it. The reaction in LA, I'm sure, will be on the aggressive side.”

Hinch said he did not plan to address the issue with Gurriel, who was handed a five-game ban which will only begin at the start of the 2018 season.

"I don't think I need to talk to him about it. I think everyone is aware it's going to be a rough setting for him,” Hinch said.

"I don't think you can convince 55,000 fans to turn the page as fast as maybe the two teams have.”